SRINAGAR: United States Vice President JD Vance on Sunday held high-level talks with senior Iranian officials in Switzerland as Washington and Tehran began negotiations to implement last week’s interim agreement to end months of conflict and prevent further escalation across West Asia.
The talks, taking place at the Bürgenstock resort near Lake Lucerne, mark the first direct engagement between the two sides since US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a memorandum of understanding last week to halt hostilities and establish a framework for future negotiations.
The meeting brought together Vance, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, with representatives from Pakistan and Qatar participating as mediators. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir played a prominent role in facilitating the dialogue.
Addressing the opening session, Vance said the negotiations presented an opportunity to reshape relations in the Middle East.
“The question before us now is how much more can we accomplish together? Can we turn over a new leaf?” Vance said. “Can we change relations in the Middle East permanently, or do we go back to doing things the old way.”
The United States is seeking commitments from Tehran regarding its nuclear programme and the continued reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil and natural gas trade passes. Washington maintains concerns that Iran’s nuclear activities could have military dimensions, a claim Tehran has consistently rejected.
Iranian officials indicated that developments in Lebanon would remain a central focus of the negotiations. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Tehran views implementation of any agreement as more important than its signing and stressed that Iran would approach the talks cautiously.
Iranian President Pezeshkian reiterated that Tehran would not relinquish what it considers its right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes.
“What is certain is that we will never back down from the right to enrich uranium, and the other side is also forced to accept it,” he was quoted as saying by Iranian state media.
The talks come amid renewed regional tensions following an escalation of fighting between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah movement in Lebanon. Although a ceasefire brokered on Saturday appeared to be holding, recent Israeli strikes reportedly killed dozens of people, raising concerns that the conflict could undermine broader diplomatic efforts.
Adding to the uncertainty, Iran’s military announced on Saturday that the Strait of Hormuz had again been closed to vessel traffic, citing alleged violations of ceasefire understandings by the United States and Israel. However, US Central Command disputed the claim, stating that commercial shipping continued to transit the waterway.
The closure of the strategic maritime corridor has become a major concern for global energy markets. The strait serves as a vital passage for approximately 20 per cent of the world’s traded petroleum supplies, and prolonged disruptions could significantly impact international oil prices and energy security.
US President Donald Trump issued a stern warning on Sunday, threatening further military action against Iran if Hezbollah continues attacks on Israel.
“If Iran does not stop its highly paid proxies in Lebanon from causing trouble, we will hit Iran very hard again,” Trump said.
The negotiations in Switzerland follow months of conflict that began earlier this year when the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iranian targets, citing concerns over Tehran’s nuclear programme. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, US military facilities in the region and strategic infrastructure.
The agreement signed last week allows Iran to resume unrestricted oil exports and potentially gain access to billions of dollars in previously frozen assets. In return, Tehran is expected to dilute portions of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and participate in negotiations over the future scope of its nuclear activities.
Sunday’s discussions also highlighted Pakistan’s growing diplomatic role. During a meeting with Pakistani leaders before the talks, Vance warmly greeted Field Marshal Munir and later credited him with helping bring the negotiations to fruition.
Speaking to reporters, Vance jokingly described his wife Usha Vance and Munir as the two most important Indian and Pakistani figures in his life, while praising the Pakistani military chief’s diplomatic efforts during the crisis.
The negotiations were initially scheduled to begin on Friday but were delayed after fighting intensified in Lebanon and Iranian officials temporarily withdrew from the process.
Diplomatic symbolism also underscored lingering mistrust between Washington and Tehran. Iranian negotiators reportedly declined to participate in a planned joint handshake and photograph with the US delegation ahead of the talks, choosing instead to enter the venue only after media events had concluded.
The current discussions are expected to focus on technical aspects of implementing the interim agreement, including nuclear safeguards, regional security arrangements and the future status of the Strait of Hormuz.
While both sides have entered a 60-day period aimed at reaching a comprehensive settlement, significant differences remain over Iran’s nuclear ambitions, regional alliances and the continuing conflict involving Israel and Hezbollah.
Global markets are expected to closely monitor the outcome of the negotiations, given their potential impact on oil supplies, regional stability and the broader security landscape of the Middle East.
